Q: How do I know I am receiving a turf that is suitable for my area? A: Valley Sod uses the latest varieties of certified blue tag seed to insure the best quality turf. All varieties are tested to determine if they are adaptable to growing in our high desert conditions. The location of Valley Sod's growing grounds is just 45 minutes southwest of Las Vegas. This close proximity guarantees that sod is always freshly cut and grown in similar conditions to the Las Vegas valley.

Q: How do I decide between a cool season grass like fescue or Bermuda, a warm season grass?A: Nevada is classified as a Transition Zone because of its mild seasonal climate. Cool season grasses grow faster in the spring and fall and slow down in the summer/winter. Most people prefer the look of a green yard all year round without having to overseed. Fescue will stay green during the winter if properly fertilized before late fall. Bermuda goes dormant in the winter and requires an overseeding of rye grass to keep the yard green.

Q: Can I put sod on top of existing grass that did not take or has died?A: No. Fresh cut sod needs soil-to-soil contact. In other words, the existing sod or dead grass must be removed first. Sod roots must be in contact with soil or they will dry out. Level out soil where the old sod has been removed, add 2" of top soil to cover the old grass and soil amendments as recommended in our installation instructions, dampen the soil, sprinkle 16-20-0 fertilizer and then lay sod on top soil. Make sure there is soil-to-soil contact. Please note that if sod is laid over Bermuda grass it must be killed off entirely or there will be regrowth of the Bermuda in warm weather.

Q: What is the main cause of death of sod?A: WATER! Either too little or too much water is the most common mistake that homeowners make when watering their newly installed lawn. Too little water will cause the sod to dry out and stress. Too much water can be worse over time causing roots to rot and sod to die. Watering schedules and times need to be adjusted to the time of year on established turf to keep it healthy.

Q: Why did the sod edges dry out after installation? Will it recover?A: More than likely your sod will recover from dry edges. Sod needs to be installed so the edges are butted close together. Gaps will cause edges to dry out. Try to push sod pieces together to avoid gapping. Sod edges can dry out while sitting on the delivery pallet if not installed promptly. Weather and wind can also contribute to drying edges. Conscientious watering, time and patience should result in the regrowth of the damaged area.

Q: How soon can the lawn be mowed after installation?A: As the grass is growing on top, the roots are growing on the bottom. Gently tug on the sod to see if it has rooted. This normally takes about two weeks. Do not let the grass get too long before mowing. Long grass can block sprinkler heads and create watering problems. Keep grass blades slightly longer in summer to shade roots.

Q: What about fertilizing new turf?A: It is recommended to use a starter fertilizer such as 16-16-16, 15-15-15 or 16-20-0 at time of installation. Follow the directions on the bag for application rates. Use half the recommended amount on the soil before installation and the other half sprinkled on top of grass after installation.

Q: Should I aerate my yard and when should I do this? A: Yes. Aerating is beneficial to keep your lawn healthy. Do this during the spring or fall when it is cooler approximately every 3-5 years depending on your lawns' condition. If your grass gets a lot of traffic you may need to do it more frequently.